BUSINESS BRIEFS
Actus forum to help builders
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Actus Lend Lease, the nation's leader in privatization of military housing, will hold a free forum Oct. 21 to help construction companies meet the administrative requirements and selection criteria to participate in its Hawai'i projects.
The forum, 7:30-10:30 a.m. at Waikele Golf Course Clubhouse, will be the first in a series. To register, e-mail Mladena.lapitan@actuslend lease.com or call 748-4412.
KATRINA HAS COST 279,000 JOBS
WASHINGTON — The number of people out of work because of Hurricane Katrina has reached 279,000, and many more job losses are expected from Hurricane Rita.
The lost jobs, coupled with surging energy prices, are expected to deliver a sharp blow to overall economic growth in the second half of this year. Also of concern is the possibility that further unexpected spikes in energy prices could prolong the economic weakness.
FEMA EXPLAINS SHIP DECISION
WASHINGTON — Two senators asked federal officials yesterday to explain their decision to sign a $236 million deal with Carnival Cruise Lines for Hurricane Katrina housing, saying Greece was ready to provide two ships for free.
In a letter, Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., asked Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff why Federal Emergency Management Agency officials chose Carnival and turned down the Greek offer. Butch Kinerney, a spokesman for FEMA, said the agency signed an initial deal with Carnival by Sept. 3 — before the Greek offer.
REVENUE SOARS AT PEPSICO
NEW YORK — PepsiCo Inc. said yesterday that its third-quarter profit dropped because of a charge related to repatriation of overseas earnings, but its results without the charge beat Wall Street estimates as revenue rose at its fastest pace since late 2001.
